The World Affairs Council of San Antonio

The World Affairs Council of San Antonio is a not-for-profit, non-partisan, citizen’s educational forum that meets monthly to discuss important foreign policy issues. The mission of the World Affairs Council is to promote public understanding of world affairs and United States foreign policy and to enhance the ability of its citizens and future leaders to participate in a global community. We accomplish our mission by presenting a Distinguished Speaker lecture series, holding receptions, organizing discussion groups, sponsoring educational outreach programs to area high schools and universities, and hosting deliberative sessions for young professionals. Meet ambassadors, authors, government officials, scholars, and entrepreneurs from around the world, and mingle with other global citizens like you, who are part of San Antonio’s growing international community.

Membership is open to all and we welcome your participation. Visit our website at www.wacofsa.org.

Ways to Connect

The World Affairs Council of San Antonio welcomed CBS News reporter and producer Mary Walsh to their distinguished lecture series on May 17, 2016. Click the audio link above to hear her speech. ***** Mary Walsh is the national security producer for CBS News; her work includes producing stories for the CBS Evening News, CBS Sunday Morning and 60 Minutes. She has been assigned to the Pentagon since 1993 and has covered the American military all over the United States and in many parts of the...

"This talk was about Anti-Semitism, but it could just have easily been about Islamophobia," said Rabbi Steve Gutow at the conclusion of his address to the World Affairs Council of San Antonio. Although Gutow's speech concentrated on detailing the many places around the globe where anti-Semitic attacks are occurring, from France, to Belgium, Brazil, Austria, South Africa, and even right here in San Antonio, Gutow says bigotry as a whole is on the rise, and "must be dealt with on its own terms....

Japan holds a close relationship with the Lone Star State; it's the fourth largest importer of goods from Texas. On Friday, June 19, a high-level Japanese delegation presented a panel discussion on Japan's challenges and opportunities in the twenty-first century. Led by former Ambassador Yasuo Saito, the delegates are part of the " Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan " initiative, organized by the Office of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in order to foster exchange and cultural understanding. Former Mayor...

The terms that are being used in western media are “separatists” and “insurgents,” but Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky says make no mistake about it, Russia invaded Ukraine . She notes Russian president Vladimir Putin justifies it by saying “Russia has the right to go in anywhere to protect Russians who are living abroad.” As Central European capitals grow increasingly concerned, Dr. Dobriansky urges Washington to demonstrate its commitment “not just to the region’s security but to its...

Ambassador Roger Noriega , who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hempisphere Affairs under President George W. Bush, spoke on Thursday, January 15, 2015 to the World Affairs Council of San Antonio. Noriega frequently writes for the American Enterprise Institute . "I'm very gung ho on Latin America, but you would never know it from this presentation," Noriega joked before beginning his speech, "Growing Together: Seizing Opportunities and Confronting Challenges in the Americas....